Clyde Sims, Jr. - Painting

​﻿"The impetus for my paintings is derived from three main sources: the natural world, music and literature. The primary source for the majority of my works is nature in its myriad forms; enticing landscapes, atmospheric conditions, and seascapes all provide a starting point for my works. Whether painting in a representational manner or interpreting the wonders of nature in an abstract mode, my primary inspiration is the organicforms I encounter in the world outside.My representational pieces, most often landscapes, usually done in oil or watercolor, range from the realistic to the impressionistic, depending on my mood. My abstract works, often in acrylic and mixed media, generally express the same natural elements in an interpretive way. I have a clear idea of what the abstract forms represent, but the viewer is encouraged to find his, or her, own insights. I often will be moved to painting by a certain piece of music or a piece of literature. Again, the painting is personal but provides the viewer an opportunity to form a different interpretation. The titles of my works are always provided to entice the viewer to try to see what I see.I will sometimes lay down a composition sketch. I select a color palette, and then freely add a variety of directional elements. Once certain movements and composition elements start coming together, I begin form opposing planes and directional motifs with pencil and paint, highlighting certain textures and color planes. The result, when successful, hopefully adds an active multi-directional sense of interest to the composition. My goal is a 2-dimensional work that gives the viewer a feeling of depth and motion; the work will hopefully provide new points of interest on every subsequent viewing."